Apparatus for shaping silica



Nov. 5, 1929.

H` P. HOLLNAGEL APPARATUS FOR SHAPING SILICA yFiled June 23, 1927 lll/ll//V/f \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\`T,

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- Inventor; Herbert P Hol lrwagel, b5 Attorneg.

Patented Non, L5, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE HERBERT P.

HOLLNAGEL, F SWAHPSGOTT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, AA GOBPDBATION 0F NEW YORK .APPARATUS FOB SHAPIN G SILIGA Application led June 23,

.The present invention relates to the manufactureof hollow'ware and other shaped articles from silicaV and it is the object of my invention to provide a process whereby silica may be formed in the 'open air into articles of desired coniiguration by a process which does not require the employment of expensive molds or. furnaces for fusing silica in such lo used in the chemical industry, or in the Inans manufacture. i

In the manufacture of utensils, such as are ufacture of insulators of large size, such as are used in the electrical industry, s111caor quartz has been subjected heretofore to a fusion temperature of about 1750 to 18000 C. The fused material has been blown,

drawn and moulded into various forms by processes which in some respects resemble the processes used in the glass industry but which are rendered dilicult by the high viscosity and other characteristics of silica'.

In accordance' with my present invention silica is worked at a temperature materially below its melting point, sayin the neighborhood of 14000 C. by methods which more nearly resemble the shaping or4 spinning of metals by causing the unfused metal to flowl over a mold by the application of highly localized vpressure with a tool, usually while the mold is being revolved by means of al mechanism similar to a lathe. I have discovered that 'silica ,under the influence of pressure may be caused to flow at a temperature so far below its fusing point'that the fabrication of silica ware may be carried out by such a spinning process.

My invention is illustrated somewhat diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mechanism for carrying out the process; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the mandrel or mold upon which the hollow ware is formed and also shows the relation of the eX-- ternal Jforming tool and the heater to the mandrel, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of a modified mandrel arranged to be electrically heated. l

`Referring to the drawing, the apparatus there shown for carrying out the present process comprises a'spindle 1 mounted on the 1927. Serial In. 200,999.

bearings 2, 3, which are afiixedio a base 4, the spindle being driven by any suitable means such as a belt engaging with one of the pulley wheels 5. Mounted upon one end of the spindle 1, which is hollow, 1s a mandrel or form 6 consisting of suitable refractory material such as graphite or of a refractory metal. Amechanism 7 for connecting the mandrel 6 with the hollow spindle 1 is shown in section in Fig. 2. J

In order to car out the spinning process a slug 8 of silica 1s introduced into contact with the mandrel, for example, byinserting the silica 8 into the hollow spindle with one end protruding beyond the mandrel 6. The protruding end of the silica is heated to the required temperature of about 1400 to 15500 C., for example, by means of an Oxy-gas burner indicated at 9. The burner with its supply conduit 10 may be supported from y'a lever 11 provided with acounterpoise Weight 12.. When the protruding end of the silica slug becomes heated to the plastic state pressure is exerted on the protruding portion of the silica by a forming tool 13, which is supported in any suitable Way upon a holderA 14 on a pedestal 15. The tool 13 should have suitable refractory character'- istics and should exert little or no chemical action upon the silica. Carborundum, or

fused alumina, may be used for tool pur-v depends upon the vconditions such as the temperature employed and the shape of the mold, the thickness of the wall of the desired silica article, and the pressure applied to the tool. In some cases the tool 13 may be vbme. by pneumatic el ehe mewm devices.

Wem 4he slice etce 17 has been omed apen the mandce, Jche too bume ee emefed anti ehe nshec atce is cue @may from the slug 8 by any suitable meansa es im exemple, by means of e fiame mpngng e the junction of the slug 8 with article 17 when the slug has been move. to be fighe so as Lc protrude from ehe mendel 6. As the mete'a softens et the heated fegon the two parte te be seperated ee (hewn epa'fs.

n Fig. 3 is shown amended "i8 povded "with an electric ressmnce heater i9 which is connected by means 01E the electlc conductors 207 21, 5o be slip rings 22 uponjhe ehef l. By such en electc hee'L-e? the spinning of the slice may be facilitated es "bhe mend'el when heated both by the hemel" i9 and she bunuel" 9, will not chill the slice .ur-

ing the spinning operation. n

Fa/'hat claim es new and desfe te secu'e by Leztes 'Peent of the United Sees, is: An apparatus fof shaping slice compsng e oteabe mold having cem'fe openieg, means of supplying slice through seid opening, means for heee-ing said slice, ec plescny, and means for lcwngfihe pes'zc slice wel* seid mod dun Toteton thezec.

fn Witness Whereo have hereunto set my head ibis 20th dey ci June, 192?. 

